The first of the new American Idol contracts has the ink drying, as Variety confirms that Ryan Seacrest has signed a new deal with Fox, 19 Entertainment, and FremantleMedia worth $15 million per year for the next three years. As part of the deal, Seacrest is now exclusive to 19 Entertainment in primetime. So I’m guessing that means there was some concern he’d show up on America’s Got Talent or something.
“Ryan is an essential ingredient to ‘American Idol’s’ success,” said “Idol” creator and 19 Ent. CEO Simon Fuller.
I don’t know. I’m fine if you bring back Brian Dunkleman. Just as long as Simon sticks around.
Speaking of which, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, and Kara DioGuardi are all in the process of renegotiating their contracts, and at least two of them are pretending like they may actually leave the show.